North East entrepreneur launches TailHail to disrupt and democratise private aviation

North East entrepreneur James Moon has founded TailHail, an aviation tech start-up, which aims to widen access to flying privately through an innovative membership scheme.

After spending time in the US and being inspired by the likes of Uber and Airbnb, James decided that the next industry to be disrupted was private aviation.

TailHail is the first membership-based private jet platform of its kind outside of the US. The company aims to deliver James’ vision of private aviation for all.

The company is currently in the process of building an online membership charter platform that will allow any individual, group or business to find, book and fly on a private jet at a more accessible price point.

The platform will also offer aircraft operators the opportunity to increase their flight hours on private jets and reduce their exposure to the costly business of empty or under-occupied flights.

The platform is being designed with the capability to capture and record flight information, including service and safety history of all aircraft, prior to being made available to TailHail members.

James Moon said: “I founded TailHail as a way of democratising private jets, making flying privately more accessible and affordable for all.

“Our four types of membership cater for all types of members out there, from the millennial market all the way to business markets.

“I want to positively change and improve the way that people fly. Anyone can now fly on a private jet thanks to TailHail – once you have experienced flying privately, I am confident that you won’t ever want to fly on a commercial airline again.”

With the market for TailHail currently around 1.5-2 million people and businesses, James is predicting that even more people and businesses will choose to fly privately as a result of COVID-19.

He explained: “People will be more cautious and conscious, putting their health first now when they fly, if they can avoid exposure at busy airports and airlines, they will look to do so.

“Flying privately through TailHail allows our members to avoid the airports and to fly with friends, family or their work colleagues only.

“Through our innovative flight sharing feature, members of TailHail will now be able to fly privately for a lot cheaper.

“I am forecasting that a lot of businesses around the world will look to become members of TailHail to protect their employees when it comes to travel and to allow for business opportunities to be seized upon.”

TailHail is backed by serial entrepreneur and investor Neil Stephenson and start up investor Paul Callaghan and additional angel investors.

Speaking about the investment in TailHail, Paul Callaghan said: “We look for ambitious entrepreneurs who want to disrupt major industries and who see the benefit of having investors actively supporting their business operations. The TailHail team fit the bill perfectly.”